Health Officials Declare Outbreak Of Hepatitis A Across Louisiana

Louisiana health officials are declaring an outbreak of hepatitis A across the state after at least two dozen cases have been reported.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver disease that is spread through contaminated food and beverages or through close contact with an infected person.

Officials say people with a history of drug use, homelessness or transient housing and incarceration are most at-risk in the outbreak. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, feeling tired and a loss of appetite.

Illness can appear 15 to 50 days after exposure and people can be left sick for several weeks.